14 police officers have recorded statements with IPOA over Omondi’s death
Some of the officers claimed Ojwang was already in critical condition when he arrived at the station
Fourteen out of 18 officers were identified and summoned by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) over the murder of Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died while in police custody last weekend, have been grilled.
The officers were grilled yesterday where they spent most of the day giving statements.
Reports indicate that some were accompanied by lawyers, while others appeared without legal representation.
Some of the officers claimed Ojwang was already in critical condition when he arrived at the station and that they tried to save his life after noticing his deteriorating state.
However, officers from the DCI said Ojwang was in good condition when he was handed over to the station at around 9.35 pm on Saturday.
Central Police Station boss Samson Taalam, who is at the centre of the probe, has reportedly denied any involvement in Ojwang’s alleged torture and death.
Taalam said he was only called in after Ojwang had already been booked and claimed that he found him in poor health and rushed him to the hospital.
Taalam’s lawyer, Felix Keaton, said his client is ready to cooperate with IPOA and is committed to ensuring justice is served.
Yesterday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Mohammed Amin has put Taalam on the spot, saying he should be treated as the prime suspect.
“It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that he (Taalam) declined to book the suspect,” Mohammed told the Senate.
“Taalam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter,” he added.
Ojwang was arrested in Homa Bay County over claims of false publication before being transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi, where he later died.
Yesterday, IPOA Vice Chair Anne Wanjiku said the investigation had hit a snag due to missing CCTV footage from the OCS’s office.
She said the footage, which could have helped piece together events at the station, had been interfered with.
She added that the autopsy results had ruled out suicide, contradicting earlier police reports.
